Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet, Thursday 24 July, agreed to adopt the Uxbridge Town Centre Vision, which sets out plans to revitalise the borough’s civic hub by strengthening the local economy, better serving residents and improving public spaces. 

The vision was co-designed in collaboration with residents, businesses, and other stakeholders, and its adoption follows an extensive public consultation, which saw 73 per cent of respondents support the proposed plans and their delivery aims. 

The vision sets out four key themes:   

  • public realm improvement – creating new spaces to encourage visitors and support businesses  
  • diversification of activities – pop-up shops, collaborative workspaces and exhibitions that bring new organisations to the town centre  
  • better links – improving connections for walking, cycling and public transport, and increasing access to green spaces and the canal from the town centre 
  • more town centre living – more opportunities to live in the town centre by providing a mix of high-quality housing options. 

It will support the Local Plan in guiding future developments and aims to rejuvenate the town centre by encouraging private investment, diversifying shopping and leisure options, redeveloping disused sites, exploring potential for new housing, and improving connectivity to residential areas.    

In June, the council assigned £315,000 of its £1.1 million UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) allocation to contribute towards delivering projects outlined in the vision. 

Work will now commence on detailed designs and stakeholder engagement for several projects aimed at enhancing public spaces and facilities. These projects include transforming the Civic Centre forecourt into a space for public use, markets, and events, as well as redesigning St Andrew’s roundabout to improve access between Dowding Park and the town centre.  

The creation of a Business Innovation Hub will support small and medium sized businesses to build resilience and grow in partnership with Hillingdon Chamber of Commerce. 

Cllr Steve Tuckwell, Hillingdon Council’s cabinet member for planning, housing and growth, said: “The vision clearly sets out our ambitious plans to make Uxbridge an even better place to live, work, study and do business, ensuring it continues to thrive long into the future. 

“Feedback from the community throughout has been vital in helping us ensure the priorities of local people are at the forefront of the plans. 

“We’re working proactively to bid for funds and attract investment that supports our emerging regeneration plans and create meaningful long-term improvements in the right places. The UKSPF allocation will kickstart the vision and start bringing some of the exciting projects to life.”    

Detailed designs, project plans and funding proposals will be developed for other medium and long-term proposals outlined in the vision. 

For more information, visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/uxbridge-vision.

 

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